US here I come... struggling actor Jamie gets his lucky break (From Echo)

US here I come... struggling actor Jamie gets his lucky break

11:00pm Saturday 4th September 2010 in

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A STRUGGLING actor is hoping to reignite his career after securing a place at a prestigious US drama school.

Despite minor roles in soaps such as EastEnders and Holby City and a handful of feature films, 29-year-old Jamie Huggins felt his career was going nowhere fast.

His worries were worsened by expected Government funding cuts in the UK film and TV industries, which are likely to leave many actors struggling to make a living.

However, Jamie’s prayers were answered when he landed a place at eminent drama school, the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts.

He was one of just 160 lucky actors out of more than 5,000 who applied to receive a place. Now Jamie is hoping it is just the break he needs.

Jamie, of Barncombe Close, Benfleet, said: “I feel like my dreams have come true.

“This is the big break I’ve been waiting for.

“I have been overwhelmed with the response from well-wishers, friends and family all believing in me and hoping I can fly the British flag in the USA.”

Jamie, who attended Appleton School and South East Essex College, got into acting four years ago. However, last year the roles started to dry up and he began to wonder where his next pay cheque was coming from.

He said: “I had a bit of a blip. I wasn’t getting any work.

“The industry in the UK is very quiet at the moment because of changes at the BBC and programmes being cut from ITV.

“I was thinking about giving it up and going to work in a bank or something like that.”

Things changed when he was cast for a speaking part in up-and-coming film Gulliver’s Travels, which stars comedian Jack Black and is due to be released in December.

Jamie said: “Shooting took four months and I had such an amazing time. I met all sorts of people, I even had a conversation with Emily Blunt and she’s one of my heroes. I was told if I wanted to get on then I needed to be in New York, so that’s what I did.”

Jamie auditioned for the Manhattan-based drama school earlier this summer and managed to gain a place.

He believes its links to Broadway and the US TV and film industries will land him his next big breakthrough.

He said: “The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts is the best school around.

“There’s always someone coming in to talent scout, and it’s got good links to Broadway, where I’d love to work.”

And despite being 29 he does not think his big opportunity has come too late.

He said: “I’m not worried about my age It’s completely different in acting, you can get a part no matter how old or young you are.”

But, attending the school will not come cheap, with fees of about £36,000 over two years.

To raise funds Jamie organised a raffle, with prizes donated from his mum’s Southend business Mallies Sandwich bar, in Clifftown Road, and other nearby businesses.

He raised just over £1,000 from the event but will have to make up the rest through his own savings and help from family and friends.

He said: “It’s a small price to pay for how much it could help my career.

“Friends and family are very important, especially in this industry.

“I couldn’t have done it without them, they’ve been my backbone.”

Jamie starts studying at the school later this month.